Historic building and cultural landmark, Reading Abbey Gateway, has been closed down and surrounded by temporary fencing

after chunks of the building at the top were seen to fall to the ground. Tony Page, deputy leader at Reading Borough Council, said: “We cannot take any risks with public safety either within or in the vicinity of the gateway, and have therefore moved swiftly to erect the necessary scaffolding and security fencing. “We will be working closely with neighbours and the current occupants to ensure as little disruption as possible.” The gateway is the restored former inner gatehouse of Reading Abbey, of which only ruins remain in the centre of the town. The abbey was founded by Henry I in 1121 and the gateway is one of only two of its non-ruined buildings remaining.